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Holiday health and safety Tips

Sunburn

After all that good food and wine, DON'T fall asleep in the sun, no matter how tempting the warm sunshine, cool breezes or the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore.

Always apply sunblock to high risk areas like tops of feet, thighs, boobs, lips, nose, forehead, backs of calves, arms, bottom and shoulders. If you see some poor soul asleep and fast 'lobstering' in the sun, do them a favour and gently awaken and warn them. Be careful to re-apply sun lotion after prolonged periods in the water, there is no 100% waterproof sun cream! A t-shirt is the equivalent of sun-factor 25. This means you can stay in the sun 25 times longer with a t-shirt on than without (you will still get burnt after a while!). If it is too late and you have already burnt your skin a good remedy to help is vinegar, the colder the better, applied over the sore areas it will soothe and prevent peeling. Never scrub burnt skin.

Heat Rash

Most commonly caused by too many layers of tanning product, when the pores get clogged and can't breathe, then set up an irritation. Using soap thoroughly when bathing or showering, and removing any excess sunblock will help unblock your pores and help prevent a rash.

Upset Tummy, Sore Throat & Dizziness

Downing iced drinks in the blazing sun causes severe temperature clashes in your system, resulting in the above symptoms. As these are seldom felt till many hours later, possibly after a meal, it is easy to wrongly blame the food! Always Remember! A body temperature drink in the sun and an iced drink once you've cooled down in the shade. The local water is generally safe to drink and tastes much the same as in the UK but bottled water is readily available and cheap; ice cubes for your drinks are also safe and shouldn"t cause tummy problems themselves only in how they are served. It's comforting to know that in Cyprus all food establishments and public swimming pools are subject to spot checks and analysis by vigilant health inspectors, who have the right to shut down those infringing the stringent regulations.

Passports & Safety

Your passport is the property of H.M. Government, and your hotel will require it for a maximum of 24 hours for registration purposes. In the event of you breaking any local law the police will forfeit it so that it may be produced in Court. No one else has the right to take possession of your passport.

Although Cyprus has a low crime rate, it's always a good idea to take safety measures: NEVER LEAVE BAGS UNATTENDED. Take only what you need when going out, leaving the rest, in an insured safety deposit box at your accommodation.

Make a note of:

• Your Passport number and details.
• Travellers Cheques numbers.
• Holiday Insurance Document (name of company, where to claim, whom to consult etc.).
• Keep this information apart from the Documents, so you can produce it in the event of theft or loss.
• It also might be a good idea to leave a copy of this information with folks back home.

Theft and Robbery

If your passport or valuables are stolen, you should report this to the police; if you are going to make a claim on your holiday insurance then it will be necessary for you to have a copy of the police report. To do it yourself by visiting the police station may involve you having an interpreter but throughout Cyprus the majority of police officers speak good English.

Drinking Age Limit

The legal drinking age in Cyprus is 17. Drivers should exercise due care over the amount of alcohol consumed. The legal limit in breath is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit in blood is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Tap Water

Water is safe to drink in Cyprus. Water pollution is negligible and every home has fresh running drinking water. Tap water in hotels, restaurants, public premises, etc., is also safe to drink.

Electricity

The electricity supply in Cyprus is 230 volts, A/C. 50 Hz. Sockets are usually 13 amp, square pin in most buildings. More than one low current rating appliance may be operated from the same supply point by using an adaptor (i.e. radios, electric clocks etc.). The use of adaptors for operating high current rating appliances is not recommended (i.e. electric heaters, toasters, irons etc.). Many hotels provide adaptors upon request from the reception. Adaptors can be purchased from electricians, supermarkets, grocery shops, etc.

Measurement System

Cyprus uses the metric system of weights and measures. Temperatures are reported in degrees Celsius, petrol is sold by the litre, grocery items are in grams and kilograms, fabric lengths in metres, and road speeds and distances posted in kilometres.

Procedure of Filing a Complaint

If you have a complaint concerning an establishment or a service, you can contact the manager of the hotel or tourist establishment. If for whatever reason you are not satisfied and wish to take your complaint further, please contact the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

Working in Cyprus

The employment of European citizens is regulated by the "Law on Free Movement and Residence of Nationals of the Member States of the European Union and their Families". Some professions are regulated by local legislation setting out the qualifications and procedures needed to acquire the right to pursue a specific profession. The employment of non-European citizens is subject to the approval of the Department of Labour which examines applications submitted by employers seeking to hire foreigners in order to meet pressing, short term needs in the labour market in certain economic fields and occupations.

Further detailed information can be obtained from the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.

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